KentOnline

Insulate Britain protesters have been arrested after blocking the M25 near the Dartford Crossing.Police were called to two demonstrations on the Essex side earlier this morning and detained 35 people.Hear from a retired GP who was among those to glue their hands to the carriageway.Also in today’s podcast, a Kent MP has suggested fracking could be used to ease the current energy crisis.Thanet’s Craig Mackinlay wants the UK to start exploring it as an option again.Mark Hood is a Green Party councillor in Kent and has been speaking to our political editor.We have news from our town centres including an announcement that an M&S store is to close.A community farm on Sheppey that gives children the chance to work with animals has celebrated its third birthday.Curly’s was set up on 10-acres of land by dads Garry and Kyle Ratcliffe as a thank you to everyone who helped when TV show DIY SOS rebuilt their bungalow.We’ve caught up with Kyle who’s told us why it’s such an important facility.And, Margate based toy company Hornby is featuring in a new TV series – we’ve been finding out how they’re trying to get younger generations interested in model railways.

A mum from Gravesend has died just months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Nicola Biddiscombe was told she had the disease while pregnant with her third child.
Her family had been raising money in the hope she could get a potentially life-extending drug that is only available in America.
Also in today’s podcast, a no-swim zone remains in place at 14 beaches in Thanet after waste water leaked into the sea.
There are calls for Southern Water to do more.
A project is under way to try and get children fit again after the pandemic.
It’s thought only half of youngsters in the county are doing the recommended 60 minutes of exercise they need every day.
Skier Millie Knight has been to a school to learn about the new scheme.
And in sport, former Gravesend schoolboy Fikayo Tomori could be in the line-up for England tonight as they take on Hungary in a World Cup qualifier.

Tributes had been paid after four men died in a crash on a country lane in Headcorn.The car they were in hit a tree after coming off Lenham Road in the early hours of yesterday morning – hear from our reporter who’s been to the scene.Also in today’s podcast, teachers have been praised for the work they have done during the pandemic.We were at the Kent Teacher of the Year awards and have spoken to some of those who were honoured.Hundreds of pink and blue umbrellas have been suspended from the ceiling of a church in Rainham to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.Kelly Wells from Making Miracles charity and Reverend Nathan Ward have been speaking about the event.In sport, there was another loss for Gillingham at the weekend.Hear what manager Steve Evans had to say following the game at Wycombe Wanderers.

In today’s podcast, thousands of people in Kent have been urged to boil their tap water after supplies were contaminated with E. coli. Our reporter, Oliver Kemp, has the details.
Also today, we hear from campaigners who have held a protest against plans for thousands of new homes in Medway.
A Kent homelessness charity has told the Kent Online podcast that thousands of households in the county are in danger of becoming homeless this winter.
A new cinema is opening in Romney Marsh later.
And hear from Gillingham Captain Kyle Dempsey ahead of their game against Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow.

A man has been taken to a London hospital following a stabbing in Chatham.
Our reporter Alex Langridge has been at the scene.
A 15-year-old girl from Canterbury reported missing along with her cousin who’s 16 and from London, has been found.
The pair were found at an address in Scotland.
A protest about house building in Medway is due to take place outside a council meeting tonight.
People aren’t happy about the possibility of homes going on the site of Chatham Docks.
People living near a new school being built in Canterbury have described it as looking like a prison.
Barton Manor is due to open next year.
The apple harvest is under way and one Kent farmer says it feel like the ‘light at the end of the tunnel.’
Hear from James Simpson who is the managing director of Adrian Scripps Ltd based near Tonbridge.
And, find out which football club could be building a training facility in the county.

A man who posted a racist video on Facebook following England’s defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 has walked free from court.
50-year-old Bradford Pretty from Guildhall Street launched into a rant following the penalty shootout at Wembley in July.
Hear what he said at the time and his reaction outside court.
Also in today’s podcast, there’s a warning not to go into the sea at more than a dozen beaches in Kent after a waste water leak.
The leader of Thanet Council has spoken out after it happened following heavy rain.
There’s an appeal for more volunteers in Kent to become flood wardens. Find out what they do and hear from a pub owner who’s suffered several floods in recent year.
An Australian woman is hoping to break the record for the number of cross Channel swims by a single person – she’s been chatting to Ismail Khwaja about the challenge of the event.
And Gillingham reporter Luke Cawdell gives his assessment of last night’s defeat to Ipswich Town in the EFL Trophy.
 

The Home Secretary has announced an independent inquiry into “systematic failures” within policing following Sarah Everard’s murder.
The 33-year-old was kidnapped by a serving Met Police officer from Deal who is now serving a whole life term.
Priti Patel has been speaking at the Conservative party conference. Hear what she had to say and find out from Kent’s police and crime commissioner how £750,000 will be spent on keeping women safe in the county.
Also in today’s podcast, the mum of a 12-year-old from Kent with a severe form of epilepsy is hoping the cannabis oil based drugs that improve her quality of life will soon be made available on the NHS.
A mum from Ashford who was born with only half her left arm is hoping her life could be transformed thanks to a bionic prosthetic.
Amy Brown has been speaking to our reporter Rhys Griffiths.
And you can hear from Gillingham’s assistant manager ahead of their EFL Trophy game against Ipswich Town at Priestfield this evening.

A woman has been filmed pleading with Insulate Britain protesters to let her get to see her sick mother in hospital in Canterbury.
The footage, obtained by LBC, shows the tearful lady desperately trying to get through traffic after the blocked the Blackwall Tunnel.
Campaigners have caused disruption for the fourth week in a row, with some again gluing their hands to the tarmac.
Also in today’s podcast, the head of the Metropolitan Police says she won’t be quitting following the sentencing Wayne Couzens from Deal for the murder of Sarah Everard.
He was a serving officer when he kidnapped and raped the 33-year-old.
A protest against a large theme park on land in north Kent has taken place.
The owner of Mu Mu in Maidstone has given us a tour around as they re-open just months after a devastating fire.
And, hear from Gillingham’s assistant boss after a disappointing weekend.

A nursery in Ashford has been closed following the death of a child.Ofsted has suspended the registration of Jelly Beans Day Nursery in the Kingsnorth part of town while an investigation is carried out.Reporter Rhys Griffiths has the details on what we know so far.Also in today’s podcast, you can hear details on what the Met Police are promising to do to improve women’s safety after one of their former officers was told he’ll never be released from prison.Wayne Couzens from Deal was off duty when he made a false arrest of Sarah Everard as she walked home in London in March.Her body was later found in woodland near Ashford after he’d raped and murdered her.A mum from Margate has issued a stark warning about little magnet toys made popular by YouTube.Elaine Hambly’s son ended up needing emergency surgery when he swallowed six of the tiny balls.We have reaction to a new law which means it’s now illegal for under 18s to have botox or fillers.It’s been introduced thanks to Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott.October seems to be the month to get healthy so we’ve caught up with Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks to chat about Go Sober and Stoptober.Plans have been unveiled for a new surfing attraction in Kent.Developers want to build it at Betteshanger Country Park near Deal.And we’ve been speaking to Gillingham’s Danny Lloyd ahead of their game against Wigan Athletic this weekend.

The man who murdered Sarah Everard while serving as a Metropolitan police officer will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Wayne Couzens from Deal has been handed a whole life order by a judge at the Old Bailey.
The 48-year-old was off duty when he falsely arrested Sarah before driving 80 miles to Kent where he raped and killed her.
Hear from our reporter who has been covering the sentencing hearing today.
You can also listen to the moment Couzens was questioned at his home about Sarah’s disappearance.
Also in the podcast, we’ve been speaking to a former London police officer on the impact this has had on the force as questions are asked about their handling of complaints about him.
Sarah’s death led to protests about women’s safety and we ask if anything has changed in the months since.
In other news, the furlough scheme ends today and there are fears it could lead to more people out of work and having to rely on food handouts.
We’ve spoken to an employment law expert and a woman who runs a food bank in Medway.
Parents are calling for a rethink over plans to close a school in west Kent.
High Weald Academy in Cranbrook is said to be no longer viable ‘financially or educationally’. One mum has been explaining how it would impact on her children.
And, find out why some mums and dads are stopped their children from playing on a green space in Strood.